Bloomfield Man Found Guilty of Theft and Fraud
Published on October 15, 2014
Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Sussex County Prosecutor Francis A. Koch announce that late yesterday a Sussex County Jury found Robert Kosch, 57 years old, of Bloomfield, New Jersey, guilty of eight counts of Theft and Fraud in relation to three properties he acquired through fraudulent means.
The jury returned its verdict after one day of deliberations. Robert Kosch was convicted of two counts of second degree Theft of Immovable Property, one count of third degree Theft of Immovable Property, two counts of third degree Theft of Movable Property, two counts of third degree Fraud, and one count of second degree Possession of Personal Identifying Information. The jury acquitted Robert Kosch of three separate charges as they pertained to a fourth property. Assistant Prosecutor Sahil Kabse represented the State in the trial which had commenced on September 9, 2014.
Robert Kosch owned and operated Floaters, LLC, a business involved in foreclosure rescues and the purchase of real estate in various towns in Sussex County. Investigation revealed that Mr. Kosch targeted individuals who were in financial distress and had moved out of their homes. He forged signatures on various deeds transferring ownership of properties to himself or Floaters, LLC without the consent of the homeowners. He then proceeded to rent out the properties and collect the rental income. Robert Kosch was also found to be in possession of personal identifying information belonging to over one hundred individuals for the purposes of locating other property owners.
After the guilty findings, the trial judge, the Honorable Thomas J. Critchley, Jr., J.S.C. remanded the defendant to the custody of the Keogh-Dwyer Correctional Facility pending sentencing. The defendant's sentencing is scheduled for December 5, 2014.
Prosecutor Knapp and Prosecutor Koch would like to thank the members of the Morris and Sussex County Prosecutor's Offices, Chief Randy Mills and the Vernon Township Police Department, and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Financial Crimes Unit whose efforts contributed to this result.
The Morris County Prosecutor's Office handled the trial due to a conflict of interest with the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office.
Any inquiries can be directed to First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor Thomas Zelante at 973-285-6252 or tzelante@co.morris.nj.us.